Who needs "super" fights when there are monstrous money-making rematches on the table?
Even though he is disinterested in a rematch with Chris Weidman because he is "tired" and wants three to four months away from mixed martial arts (MMA), Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) President Dana White is already planning a potential return to action for former Middleweight champion Anderson Silva:
UFC 168, the promotion's annual year-end pay-per-view (PPV) extravaganza, which is set to take place in Las Vegas, Nevada, on Dec. 28, 2013.
And, of course, White is willing to bump another high-profile rematch between Ronda Rousey vs. Miesha Tate from the main event if it were to come together, according to Lance Pugmire from Los Angeles Times.
"Dana White just told me he's so amped about Anderson Silva - Chris Weidman rematch, he's thinking of moving it to Dec. 28 ... said he'd shift Ronda Rousey - MieshaTate bout to Super Bowl weekend, just considering it now."
Of course White is considering it now because he is confident that the marquee match would be the biggest PPV draw in UFC history, topping the 1.6 million high-water mark of UFC 100 and certainly surpassing the "trending" 800,000 figure he pinned to UFC 162 during his post-event media scrum (watch it here).
It was at UFC 162, which took place this past weekend (Sat., July 6, 2013), where Silva lost his 185-pound belt in shocking fashion to "All American," getting clipped with a left hook in round two that turned his lights out. Reaction to the knockout (watch it here) has been mixed, with some feeling the Brazilian got what he deserved for "inappropriate" antics inside the cage and others such as Georges St. Pierre suggesting while unexpected, it was no fluke.
Regardless, the fact remains Weidman is the new Middleweight champion and is more than willing to participate in a rematch with Silva if he doesn't feel the need to "get something out of his blood" beforehand. And you can bet your bippy he will command much more than the reported $48,000 base salary he pocketed the first time around.
So, too, would Silva. Strike while the iron is hot!
For more UFC 162 results, recaps, videos, reactions and other post-fight fallout, check out our "Silva vs. Weidman" wrap-up and link dump by clicking here.